Cushion assembly



Aug. 29, 1967 I E. H. SCHUTZ ETAL 3,338,572

CUSHION ASSEMBLY Filed April 5, 1966 2f 2' 16 14 76 I4- zz INVENTORS 6278/2 Sch/Z Z, 5 ayfzfgezz'e Shy/9 /W/W 4775M United States Patent 3,338,572 CUSHION ASSEMBLY Erich H. Schutz, Fraser, Mich., and Eugene Slagle, Kendallville, Ind., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Lear Siegler, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 540,376 7 Claims. (Cl. 267-110) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A furniture cushion assembly of the type including a frame with a plurality of spring strips disposed between opposite sides of the frame and, more specifically, to such an assembly wherein one end of each of the spring strips is supported by a leaf-type spring extending from one side of the frame.

Cushions of the type to which the instant invention pertains are well known in the art and usually comprise a rectangular frame with a plurality of Spring strips having their ends attached to opposite sides of the frame. Normally, each spring strip is sinuous in form to provide adjacent oppositely facing loops which are joined by straight portions. The spring strips support a padding covered by upholstery and provide flexible support so that such cushions may be utilized in furniture, or the like. One end of each of the spring strips is frequently attached to one side of the frame by a coil spring. Such coil springs and like devices do not, however, apply an upward torque or force to resist downward movement of the ends of the respective spring strips when a downward force is applied thereto, such as by an individual resting on the cushion.

It is, therefore, an object and feature of this invention to provide a cushion of the above type including a unique flexible means extending from one side of the frame in a cantilevered fashion to support and to resist downward movement of one end of each spring strip.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide a cushion assembly including a frame with a plurality of spring strips disposed between opposite sides of the frame and a plurality of flexible leaf-type springs extending from one side of the frame for engaging and supporting each of the respective spring strips.

In general, these and other objects and features of this invention may be attained by a preferred embodiment including a frame with a plurality of spring strips disposed between opposite sides of the frame. The spring strips are each sinuous in form to provide adjacent oppositely facing loops joined by straight portions. One of the ends of each spring strip has a reversely extending portion which is supported by a leaf-type spring extending from one side of the frame in a cantilevered fashion. The canti levered end of each leaf-type spring includes a pocket for receiving one of the straight portions in the reversely extending portion of a spring strip, and the leaf-type spring extends from the pocket over an adjacent straight portion of the spring strip to the side of the frame to which it is attached. Thus, one end of each of the spring strips is supported by a leaf-type spring which extends from one side of the frame in a cantilevered fashion to resist downward movement of the end of the spring strip.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a cushion assembly constructed in accordance with the instantinvention;

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FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, the cushion assembly, generally shown at 10, includes a frame, generally indicated at 12, with a plurality of spring strips 14 extending between spaced interconnected members 16 of the frame. The members 16 are interconnected by the end pieces 18.

Each spring strip 14 is sinuous in form to provide adjacent oppositely facing loops 20 and 22. The adjacent oppositely facing loops 20 and 22 are joined by straight portions 24. Means comprising the clips 26 secure the first ends of the respective spring strips 14 to one side member 16 of the frame 12.

The second ends of the spring strips 14 are supported by a flexible means comprising the leaf-type springs 30 which extend in a cantilevered fashion from a side member 16 of the frame.

The side member 16 to which the leaf-type springs 30 are attached has an upper flat surface 32 and the leaf-type springs 30 extend over the flat surface 32 and thereafter extend downwardly along the exterior surface 34 to a first end thereof which is secured to the exterior surface 34 by the tacks or nails 36. Each leaf-type spring 30' extends across the flat surface 32 and then extends in a cantilevered fashion from an extremity of the frame as defined by the inner surface 38 of the member 16. The member 16 of the frame is disposed in spaced relation to the leaf-type spring 30 at the extremity defined by the surface 38 in that the member 16 includes a rounded portion 40. The rounded portion 40 allows the leaf-type spring 30 to flex gradually along a length thereof. That is to say, if the member 16 had a square corner instead of the rounded surface 40 for engaging the leaf-type spring 30, the leaf-type spring 30 would flex about a sharp bend just above the engagement with such a corner.

Each spring strip 14 includes a reversely extending portion as defined by the loop 22' and straight portion 24'. The second end of each leaf-type spring 30 includes a pocket 40 for receiving the straight portion 24'. The pocket 40 opens in an upward direction so that the straight portion 24' engages the top side of the leaf-type spring 30. The leaf-type spring 30 extends from the pocket 40 over the straight portion 24" so that the straight portion 24" engages the bottom side of the leaf-type spring 30.

The leaf-type spring 30 is preferably made of heat treated spring steel although other suitable materials may be utilized. In some applications it is often advantageous to coat the pocket 40 with a low friction material.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a cushion assembly, a frame including first and sec-0nd spaced interconnected frame members, at least one spring strip being sinuous in form to define adjacent a direction toward said first frame member to a second end thereof, said leaf-type spring being flexible along the length thereof, said second end of said leaf-type spring being in engagement with one of said straight portions adjacent the second end of said spring strip, said spring strip including a reversely extending portion adjacent the second end thereof and said one of said straight portions is disposed in said reversely extending portion.

2. In an assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said leaf-type spring engages said one of said straight portions on one side thereof and engages a second straight portion on the other side thereof at a position between said second end thereof and said frame.

3. In an assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said leaf-type spring extends across a substantially flat surface on said frame and then extends in said cantilevered fashion from an extremity of said frame, said frame being disposed in spaced relation to said leaf-type spring at said extremity thereof.

4. In an assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said frame includes a rounded portion in said spaced relation to said leaf-type spring at said extremity thereof.

5. In an assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said leaf-type spring includes a pocket adjacent said second end thereof for receiving said one of said straight portions.

6. In an assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pocket opens in an upward direction so that said one of said straight portions engages the top side of said leaftype spring and said second straight portion engages the bottom side of said leaf-type spring.

7. In an assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said leaf-type spring extends over said flat surface of said frame and thereafter extends downwardly along an exterior surface of said frame to said first end thereof Which is secured to said exterior surface of said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,685,330 8/1954 Handyen et a1. 287-48935 3,098,646 7/1963 Knabusch et al 267-112 3,210,064 10/1965 Crosby 267103 3,276,801 10/1966 Jones 267110 X FOREIGN PATENTS 357,258 9/1931 Great Britain.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CUSHION ASSEMBLY, A FRAME INCLUDING A FIRST AND SECOND SPACED INTERCONNECTED FRAME MEMBERS, AT LEAST ONE SPRING STRIP BEING SINUOUS IN FORM TO DEFINE ADJACENT OPPOSITELY FACING LOOPS JOINED BY STRAIGHT PORTIONS, MEANS SECURING A FIRST END OF SAID SPRING STRIP TO SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER, A LEAF-TYPE SPRING SECURED TO SAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF AND EXTENDING IN A CONTILEVERED FASHION FROM SAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER TO A SECOND END THEREOF, SAID LEAF-TYPE SPRING BEING FLEXIBLE ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID SECOND END OF SAID LEAF-TYPE SPRING BEING IN ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE OF SAID STRAIGHT PORTIONS ADJACENT THE SECOND END OF SAID SPRING STRIP, SAID SPRING STRIP IN CLUDING A REVERSELY EXTENDING PORTION ADJACENT THE SECOND END THEREOF AND SAID ONE OF SAID STRAIGHT PORTIONS IS DISPOSED IN SAID REVERSELY EXTENDING POTION. 